INTRO: In this second chapter we have seen that there are some things which have no place in the life of one who has been born again by the Word of God and has tasted that the Lord is gracious. We have also seen that those who have been born again by the word of God should long for his word as a new born baby desires and longs for his motherís milk.

There are to be a real love of the word of God in the heart of every one who claims to be a child of God. We ought to hunger for it and thirst for it.

I am reminded of those fearful words of the prophet of God, Amos. Amos 8:11-13 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. 13 In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.

I have been asked to speak on the Sweetness of Godís Word in the Bible Conference at Central Baptist Church in Grenada, MS. David wrote, Psalm 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! If you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, you have also tasted that the word of the Lord is sweet, wonderfully sweet.

Therefore, I come to the question that is suggested in our text, HAVE YOU TASTED THAT THE LORD IS GRACIOUS?

THE CONTEXT REVEALS THAT THIS SPECIFICALLY HAS REFERENCE TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

It is obvious from verses 4-8 that Jesus Christ is the Lord to whom Peter refers specifically in our text. 1 Peter 2:4-8 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

He is a living stone; not a material, lifeless stone. V-4

He is the stone disallowed by men but chosen of God and precious. V-4

I will have more to say on this when we get to the verses that follow our text.

For now I just want you to see that this verse has specific reference to Jesus Christ.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS VERY GRACIOUS

He is full of grace and truth. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

He is exceedingly abundant in his grace. 1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Grace was and is poured into his lips. Psalm 45:1-2 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

His grace is sufficient for every circumstance and trial. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

His grace was and is such that he was willing to become poor that we through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Grace abounded far above abounding sin in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

His grace is such that Paul referred to it in his greetings and salutations in his epistles. 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

HAVE YOU TASTED THE GRACIOUSNESS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?

Have you tasted that he is full of grace for his people? John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Have you tasted that he is gracious in becoming a surety for his people? Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

As surety he has paid the debt which we owed but could never pay.

Since he is surety for his people it is wonderful grace that we can never perish in hell.

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious in becoming poor that we might be rich? 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious in taking on himself our human nature and obeying, suffering, and dying in our stead? Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious in drinking of the cup of Godís wrath so that we may be saved from the wrath to come? 1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious in his words and promises?

Consider his words concerning the reason for his coming into the world. Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Consider his words of encouragement to his fearful disciples. Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Consider that his words are spirit and life. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Consider his kind words of invitation to those who are laboring under the load of sin. Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Consider that his words are the very words of God the Father. John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Consider his words of comfort to troubled hearts. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious in his power to save from sin? John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious in his keeping power? John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious in his abiding presence with his people?

He comforted Paul in a time of fear with the assurance that he was with him. Acts 18:9-10 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

He has assured that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

He who gave himself for us lives in us. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious in his intercession for us?

He ever lives for that purpose. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

He has ascended into heaven to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.

He is our advocate with the Father. 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious in sending angels to assure us of his return? Acts 1:10-11 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious in sending the Holy Spirit to us? John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Conc:

If you have not tasted that the Lord is gracious let me commend to you the words of the Psalmist. Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Consider also these words from the Psalmist. Psalm 36:7-10 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. 9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. 10 O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

If you have not tasted that the Lord is gracious I would also use the words of the Psalmist as an alarm to you. Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

I pray that the Lord may enable you to taste and see that the Lord is gracious. If you have already done so, serve him because he is gracious. Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.